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A. S. JOHNSTON.

BRIDLE BIT. No. 356,942. Patented Feb. 1, 1887.

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WITNESS INVENTUR 1 *@r6z%u:u%t BY ATTORNEYS.

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ALVA S. JOHNSTON, OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA TERRITORY.

BRIDLE-BlT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 356,942, dated February1, 1887.

Application filed July 7, 1886. Serial No. 207,344. (No model.)

To a-ZZ whom/it may concern.-

Be it known that LALVA SUTTON Jonns'ron, of Bozeinan, in the county ofGallzttin and Territory of Montana, have invented a new and ImprovedHorse-Bit, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding part-sin all the figures.

Figure- 1 is a side elevation of my new and improved horse-bit as itappears when closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the bit open, andFig. 3 is a front elevation of the bit closed.

The invention will first be described in connection with the drawings,and then pointed out in the claims.

A represents the month-piece or bar of the bit. This is made of the twoparts a a, crossed in the center and pivoted upon the central pin, (6.Connected to each end of the bar a is a side piece, B, and connected toeach end of the bar a. is a side piece, 0. The side pieces, B O are bypreference curved, and each pair is hinged together by a connectingpin,I), so they constitute circular side pieces of the bit, and at the sametime permit the bars a a to open and close, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.The upper side pieces, B O, are each formed with a ring, B, into whichthe cheek-strap of the bridle buckles, and each lower side piece isformed with a ring, G, into which the lines or reins buckle. The sidepieces, B O, and bars a a are normally held closed by the two springs D,one applied to each set of side pieces, B C. These springs are bypreference made circular, and attached at their ends to the projectionscl (Z, and held from displacement by the loops or staples 0 c, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2.

The action of the bit is such that when no strain is put upon the reinsthe springs D close the parts of the bar A, so. it is as easy in thehorses mouth as a plain or common bit; but when strain is put upon thereins the parts at a will open, turning upon the pivot m, and thusbecome very severe on the horses mouth, so that he may be easilycontrolled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The bar A, composed of the centrally pivoted and crossed pieces a a,provided at their ends with the side pieces, B O, hinged together, incombination with springs arranged to close the side pieces and the partsa a of the bar A, substantially as described.

2. The side pieces, B C, each formed with a ring and hinged together, incombination with the springs D, and the bar A, composed of thecross-pivoted bars a a, the side pieces, B 0, being connected to thebars a a, respectively, substantially as described.

ALVA S. JOHNSTON.

\Vitnesses:

LLEWELLYN A. Lucn, F. K. Amrsrnone.

